Text:
Varig - the largest airline in Latin
America so far, plunged into a growing financial crisis. Since 90s, the
company cut routes and reduced its fleet every year, but the losses
continued. With billionaire debts, the airline collapsed in June 2006 when
half of its fleet was forced to be grounded. Thus the company was divided
into two: the "old Varig" that got all debts and the
"new Varig" that remained with the healthy part of the company. The “new”
Varig (VRG Linhas Aéreas) was purchased by VOLO Brasil on July 20, 2006 and
remained operating with “old” Varig license (CHETA) until December. The
airline announced that would operate only flights between Rio de Janeiro and
São Paulo and then would gradually expand. But ANAC (National Agency of
Civil Aviation) forced the airline to maintain all routes as possible.
In August 2006, Varig had a fleet of ten aircraft (Boeing 737-300, Boeing 767-300ER and MD-11) and served Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife, Manaus, Buenos Aires and Frankfurt. In September four 737-300 were reactivated and Varig started flights to Caracas, Brasilia, Curitiba and Fernando de Noronha. Varig’s "treasure" were its slots at many airports in Europe, the United States and important airports in Brazil as Congonhas. When Gol demonstrated interest in flight to Bogota, Varig returned flying to Bogota for do not lose the slots.
On December 15, 2006 VRG Linhas Aéreas received its CHETA and began to operate officially. But also began another race against time: the company had 180 days to reactivate all it flights or it slots would be redistributed.
In March 2007 Varig returned to Vitória and Londrina, but the money released by VOLO to invest in VRG Linhas Aéreas was almost over. The company returned the last two MD-11 and remained only with Boeing 767-300 to make the flight to Frankfurt. Everything changed on April 28, 2007 when Gol announced the acquisition of VRG Linhas Aéreas by approximately 400 million dollars. Gol's ambition was to expand its routes to Europe and the United States and beat Tam as the largest airline in Brazil. Gol announced eleven Boeing 767-300 and one Boeing 767-200 for resume international flights and Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 to replace 737-300. It was also announced the end of the first class.
On June 15, 2007 Varig increased connection between Brazil and Buenos Aires with 49 flights per week and started the second daily flight to Frankfurt, this time from Rio de Janeiro. On July 5 resumed operations on Congonhas - Florianópolis route. In September began Sao Paulo - Paris - Rome route.
On October 23, 2007 Varig presented its new visual identity. Five days later, Varig returned to London and in December to Mexico City and Santiago. Despite all this growing, Varig’s load factor was terrible both domestic and international flights. And also the fuel price "exploded" and as result Gol obtained losses for the first time in its history.
In 2008 Varig returned to Madrid. But in that same year Gol decided to reduced the intercontinental network to Paris and Madrid only. However Varig’s load factor continued below 50%. Thus a few weeks later, Gol decided to cease all intercontinental flights and merge Varig with Gol. In August 2008 Varig was officially incorporated into Gol. Actually officially Gol was absorbed by VRG Linhas Aéreas because it had several tax benefits. Gol still operate flights with Varig brand to Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bogota and Caracas. Also in the end of 2008 Gol launched "Comfort Class" that it likes an economic premium, with more benefits such as lounges, more miles and onboard service. However Varig brand was abandoned by Gol. Gradually aircraft with Varig colour were being replaced by Gol colour. On August 12, 2014 Varig brand was seen for the last time in the skies.
Logos:
In August 2006, Varig had a fleet of ten aircraft (Boeing 737-300, Boeing 767-300ER and MD-11) and served Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife, Manaus, Buenos Aires and Frankfurt. In September four 737-300 were reactivated and Varig started flights to Caracas, Brasilia, Curitiba and Fernando de Noronha. Varig’s "treasure" were its slots at many airports in Europe, the United States and important airports in Brazil as Congonhas. When Gol demonstrated interest in flight to Bogota, Varig returned flying to Bogota for do not lose the slots.
On December 15, 2006 VRG Linhas Aéreas received its CHETA and began to operate officially. But also began another race against time: the company had 180 days to reactivate all it flights or it slots would be redistributed.
In March 2007 Varig returned to Vitória and Londrina, but the money released by VOLO to invest in VRG Linhas Aéreas was almost over. The company returned the last two MD-11 and remained only with Boeing 767-300 to make the flight to Frankfurt. Everything changed on April 28, 2007 when Gol announced the acquisition of VRG Linhas Aéreas by approximately 400 million dollars. Gol's ambition was to expand its routes to Europe and the United States and beat Tam as the largest airline in Brazil. Gol announced eleven Boeing 767-300 and one Boeing 767-200 for resume international flights and Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 to replace 737-300. It was also announced the end of the first class.
On June 15, 2007 Varig increased connection between Brazil and Buenos Aires with 49 flights per week and started the second daily flight to Frankfurt, this time from Rio de Janeiro. On July 5 resumed operations on Congonhas - Florianópolis route. In September began Sao Paulo - Paris - Rome route.
On October 23, 2007 Varig presented its new visual identity. Five days later, Varig returned to London and in December to Mexico City and Santiago. Despite all this growing, Varig’s load factor was terrible both domestic and international flights. And also the fuel price "exploded" and as result Gol obtained losses for the first time in its history.
In 2008 Varig returned to Madrid. But in that same year Gol decided to reduced the intercontinental network to Paris and Madrid only. However Varig’s load factor continued below 50%. Thus a few weeks later, Gol decided to cease all intercontinental flights and merge Varig with Gol. In August 2008 Varig was officially incorporated into Gol. Actually officially Gol was absorbed by VRG Linhas Aéreas because it had several tax benefits. Gol still operate flights with Varig brand to Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bogota and Caracas. Also in the end of 2008 Gol launched "Comfort Class" that it likes an economic premium, with more benefits such as lounges, more miles and onboard service. However Varig brand was abandoned by Gol. Gradually aircraft with Varig colour were being replaced by Gol colour. On August 12, 2014 Varig brand was seen for the last time in the skies.
Logos:
Paint Shame:
2006-2007
2008-2014
Founded: 2006
Ceassed: 2008
Hubs: Guarulhos,
Congonhas
Headquarters:
Rio de Janeiro
Historical
Fleet:
Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 767-200, Boeing
767-300, MD-11
Destinations (domestic):
Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo
Horizonte, Vitória, Brasília, Salvador, Porto Seguro, Recife, Fernando
de Noronha, Fortaleza, Manaus, Londrina.
Destinations (international):
México, Madrid, Paris, Londres, Roma, Frankfurt, Buenos Aires, Santiago,
Bogotá,
Caracas, Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao, Punta Cana.
> Fleet:
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> Route Map:
Updated 2015